Chapter 29- Finca's Journey

{Finca -narrator}

I can't tell the other Guardians and so I won't! I growl as I fly away from the Guardian chamber. I'll find my own place to live and grieve in peace!

I roar to the skies above in fury and leave the Dominion of the Beasts. I soon find myself flying across a barren desert. As I stare into the sand dunes below I finally feel as if I've found a place to call my own. I land on the nearest dune I can find and soon I gaze out over my new home. Sure it's lacking water and food but with a few improvements it could really become a new home for me.

Suddenly I'm startled by the sound of wing beasts, I growl and turn around to see a large, red, female dragon staring back at me.

You are? I snarl as I try to keep my rage under control at the thought of having to fight another dragon over territory.

Ruby, she replies as her amber colored eyes gleam under the swirling sand at circles us.

I blink, it can't be!

Ruby? I ask. Is it really you?

She looks at me for a second before realizing who I am.

Mom? Is that you? Ruby asks in shock.

Yes, I reply as I lower my head in shame.

You look weak. Let me lead you to where there is food, water, and company, Ruby says as she lifts her red wings into the air.

She flies off and after a moment, I follow my daughter as she leads me over countless sand dunes until we reach a cave that has been carved into a rather large sand dune that over time has become so tightly packed together that now it's not going anywhere. She lands and walks over to allow me room to land beside her.

What are you doing out here mom? Ruby asks as she opens a large green backpack and drags out the leftover meat from what looks like the morning meal.

I lost my way and so now I'm trying to find myself all over again, I say as I collapse to the ground in a heap, tried from the day's events.

I see, Ruby comments as she drags the meat over to me.

After I eat the chunk of meat that was put before me, I curl up and watch the sand swirl around outside the cave.

You seem saddened. What's wrong? Ruby asks as she walks over to me and lays down.

Nothing, I answer sharply as I try my best to get her off that subject before those memories return.

Are you sure? She asks as her amber eyes stare at me.

I close my eyes and cringe, suddenly feeling a sharp headache. At first I think it could be Makiar trying to reach me but as it lingers I begin to think that it's something else. A wave of dizziness passes over me as I open my eyes and sit up to try and clear my headache. I almost send my newly eaten meat back up but the dizziness passes before that happens. The headache soon vanishes but my strange behavior is enough to concern my daughter.

Are you okay Finca? Ruby asks in concern.

Yes, I stammer as I wearily lay back down on the red dirt floor of the cave.

I find myself shaking slightly as I gaze at my front paws.

Why is this happening? What is going on? I ponder as I close my eyes and try to get to sleep.

I'm awakened by Ruby's growling. I open my eyes and find myself looking up at a human. The human looks clearly like a male as his upper body looks muscular and strong. His brown eyes look calm and his black hair looks a little, well, choppy. I hate to say it but his hair would never win the heart of a lady, his eyes might but not his hair.

Master Leo this is Finca, Ruby says as I stare at the male.

"Pleasure to meet you Finca . . . Wait! Finca! The dragon of Tamli Nekita, my childhood friend!" Leo exclaims as he stares at me.

Yes Leo Ricata I am the dragon of Tamli, I reply kindly as I get to my feet, hoping I won't have another dizzy spell like earlier in the day.

My muscles complain as I rise to my feet, begging me to remain on the ground. I cringe and nearly topple back to the floor but luckily Ruby catches me and straightens me up. She growls at me softly as she passes by me, heading to her master's side. I slowly walk over to the entrance of the cave and lay down, just out of the reach of the sand as it swirls over the ground like a small twister. I place my head between my front paws and just wish that I don't pass out in front of Leo and Ruby.

However my wish doesn't come true. Halfway through our very late supper, I get that dizzy feeling once again. I recoil from the two of them as I feel my limbs give way. I crash to the ground and the world around me fades slowly to black . . .

When I awaken I find myself on my side. I slowly gaze around looking for something familiar and then it hits me with where I'm at. I cringe as pain fills my head.

Uh what happened? My head feels horrible, I groan as I look down at my front paws and find that they're shaking once again.

"That would probably be because when you fainted you hit your head on the rock we used for our table and as thus you ended up with a mild concussion while you were unconscious which led to your head hurting once you woke up," Leo explains as he stands up.

I moan and roll myself over so that my legs are under me.

I wouldn't do that Finca, Ruby warns as she looks at me from their rocky table.

Why not? I ask.

You might . . .

Ruby doesn't get a chance to finish her sentence because I stagger to my feet only to collapse to the ground in weakness.

What's wrong with me? It started when I collapsed during my time in paradise and then after I had eaten some fresh meat yesterday afternoon and then when I collapsed during our supper and now the fact that I can't even get to my feet because I'm so weak! I snap as another headache starts.

Finca please we're trying to . . . Ruby tries to explain.

No I don't want to hear about what you have to . . .

The world turns different shades of colors before it turns black again.

We should tell her when she wakes up, Ruby suggests as she looks at her unconscious mother.

No Ruby, she'll find out soon enough if this keeps up like it's going, I guarantee that she'll know what it is very soon, Leo comments as he plays with the sheath that holds his ruby incrusted sword.